Stage 1 | Subject outline | version control

Legal Studies Stage 1
Subject outline

Version 4.0 - For teaching in 2024.
Accredited in June 2020 for teaching at Stage 1 from 2021. 

Stage 1 | Subject outline | Performance standards

Performance standards

Stage 1 performance standards for Legal Studies can be viewed below. You can also download in Word format [DOC 31KB].

To learn more about what performance standards are, how they are used, and other general information, see performance standards and grades

  Understanding and Application Analysis and Evaluation Communication, Collaboration, and Reflection
A

Astute application of concepts to demonstrate understanding.

Astute application of legal principles and processes to demonstrate understanding.

Thorough and focused research to select and appropriately acknowledge a range of relevant sources.

Perceptive analysis of legal principles, processes, and concepts or problems.

Sophisticated evaluation of legal arguments to reach a convincing conclusion and, where appropriate, make persuasive recommendations.
 Highly effective communication of concepts, legal principles, and arguments.

Highly effective and consistent collaboration to achieve insightful and effective outcomes.

Insightful and perceptive reflection on learning, and the personal and group skills required to achieve a successful collaborative outcome.
B

Substantial application of concepts to demonstrate considerable understanding.
 
Substantial application of legal principles and processes to demonstrate considerable understanding.

Substantial research to select and appropriately acknowledge a range of relevant sources.

Substantial analysis and application of legal principles, processes, and concepts or problems.

Well-considered evaluation of legal arguments to reach a mostly convincing conclusion and, where appropriate, make appropriate recommendations.

Effective communication of concepts, legal principles, and arguments.

Effective and consistent collaboration to achieve effective outcomes.

Well-considered reflection on learning, and the personal and group skills required to achieve a successful collaborative outcome.

C

Adequate application of concepts to demonstrate generally sound understanding.

Adequate application of legal principles and processes to demonstrate generally sound understanding.

Adequate research, selection, and acknowledgement of a range of relevant sources.

Moderately considered analysis and application of legal principles, processes, and concepts or problems.

Mostly sound evaluation of legal arguments to reach a conclusion and, where appropriate, make recommendations.

Moderately effective in the communication of concepts, legal principles, and arguments.

Moderately effective collaboration to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Adequate reflection on learning, and the personal and group skills required to achieve a successful collaborative outcome.

D

Some application of concepts to demonstrate partial understanding.

Some application of legal principles and processes to demonstrate partial understanding.

Basic research, selection, and acknowledgement of a range of relevant sources.

Some analysis and application of some legal principles, processes, and concepts or problems.

Partial evaluation of legal arguments and, where appropriate, some substantiated recommendations.

Some communication of concepts, legal principles, and arguments.

Some collaboration with other students.

Some reflection on learning, and the personal and group skills required to achieve a successful collaborative outcome.

E

Limited application of concepts to demonstrate emerging understanding.

Limited application of legal principles and processes to demonstrate emerging understanding.

Rudimentary research, selection, and acknowledgement of a range of sources.

Limited analysis of some legal principles, processes, and concepts or problems.

Limited consideration of some legal arguments with no or uninformed recommendations.

Limited success in the communication of concepts, legal principles, and arguments.

Limited collaboration with other students.

Rudimentary reflection on learning, and the personal and group skills required to achieve a successful collaborative outcome.